Aqua, Chicago
Encyclopedia
Aqua is an 86-story
mixed-use residential skyscraper
in the Lakeshore East
development in downtown Chicago
. Designed by a team led by Jeanne Gang
, the building is the tallest in the world to have a woman as lead architect, at 859 ft (261.8 m). It includes one level of parking below ground. The building's eight-story, 140000 sq ft (13,006.4 m²) base is topped by a 82550 sq ft (7,669.1 m²) terrace with gardens, gazebos, pools, hot tubs, a walking/running track and a fire pit. Each floor covers approximately 16000 sq ft (1,486.4 m²). The Aqua was named the Emporis Skyscraper Award
2009 skyscraper of the year and was shortlisted in 2010 for the biannual International Highrise Award.
, principal and founder of Studio Gang Architects
, and it is her first skyscraper project. This is the largest project ever awarded to an American firm headed by a woman. Loewenberg & Associates are the architects of record, led by James Loewenberg.
The building will contain 55,000 square feet (5,100 square meters) of retail and office space, in addition to 215 hotel rooms (floors 1-18), 476 rental residential units (floors 19-52), and 263 condominium
units & Penthouses (floors 53-80). Aqua will also be the first downtown building to combine condos, apartments and a hotel. Strategic Hotels & Resorts had agreed to acquire the first 15 floors of hotel space upon completion of the building, but terminated its $84 million contract for the space in August 2008, citing significant changes in the economic environment.
On May 12, 2010, it was announced that Carlson Hotels Worldwide agreed to spend $125 million to open the first Radisson Blu hotel in the United States on 18 vacant floors of the highrise.
The name 'Aqua' was assigned to the building by Magellan Development
Group LLC. It fits the nautical theme of the other buildings in the Lakeshore East development, and is derived from the wave-like forms of the balconies; the tower's proximity to nearby Lake Michigan also influenced the name.
Sustainability was an important factor in Aqua's design. Gang and her team refined the terrace extensions to maximize solar shading, and other sustainable features will include rainwater collection systems and energy-efficient lighting. The green roof on top of the tower base will be the largest in Chicago. The tower will seek LEED
certification.
Storey
A storey or story is any level part of a building that could be used by people...
mixed-use residential skyscraper
Skyscraper
A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building of many stories, often designed for office and commercial use. There is no official definition or height above which a building may be classified as a skyscraper...
in the Lakeshore East
Lakeshore East
Lakeshore East is a master-planned mixed use urban development being built by the Magellan Development Group in the Loop community area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located in the northeastern part of the Loop, which, along with Illinois Center, is called the Near East...
development in downtown Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. Designed by a team led by Jeanne Gang
Jeanne Gang
-External links:* official website* "Jeanne Gang: The Art of Nesting"...
, the building is the tallest in the world to have a woman as lead architect, at 859 ft (261.8 m). It includes one level of parking below ground. The building's eight-story, 140000 sq ft (13,006.4 m²) base is topped by a 82550 sq ft (7,669.1 m²) terrace with gardens, gazebos, pools, hot tubs, a walking/running track and a fire pit. Each floor covers approximately 16000 sq ft (1,486.4 m²). The Aqua was named the Emporis Skyscraper Award
Emporis Skyscraper Award
The Emporis Skyscraper Award is an award for architectural excellence regarding the design of buildings and their functionality.The award is presented annually by Emporis to the building representing the "Best new skyscraper for design and functionality". To qualify, nominated buildings must have...
2009 skyscraper of the year and was shortlisted in 2010 for the biannual International Highrise Award.
Architect
Aqua is designed by Jeanne GangJeanne Gang
-External links:* official website* "Jeanne Gang: The Art of Nesting"...
, principal and founder of Studio Gang Architects
Studio Gang Architects
Studio Gang Architects is a Chicago-based architecture and design firm led by Jeanne Gang. Recognized for innovative ideas centered on sustainability, Studio Gang's work has been published and exhibited worldwide, including at the International Venice Biennale, the National Building Museum in...
, and it is her first skyscraper project. This is the largest project ever awarded to an American firm headed by a woman. Loewenberg & Associates are the architects of record, led by James Loewenberg.
Design
The Aqua Tower is located on the 200 block of North Columbus Drive, and is surrounded by high-rises. To capture views of nearby landmarks for Aqua's residents, Gang stretched its balconies outward by as much as 12 feet (3.7 meters). The result is a building composed of irregularly shaped concrete floor slabs which lend the facade an undulating, sculptural quality. Gang cites the striated limestone outcroppings that are a common topographic feature of the Great Lakes region as inspiration for these slabs.The building will contain 55,000 square feet (5,100 square meters) of retail and office space, in addition to 215 hotel rooms (floors 1-18), 476 rental residential units (floors 19-52), and 263 condominium
Condominium
A condominium, or condo, is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned while use of and access to common facilities in the piece such as hallways, heating system, elevators, exterior areas is executed under legal rights...
units & Penthouses (floors 53-80). Aqua will also be the first downtown building to combine condos, apartments and a hotel. Strategic Hotels & Resorts had agreed to acquire the first 15 floors of hotel space upon completion of the building, but terminated its $84 million contract for the space in August 2008, citing significant changes in the economic environment.
On May 12, 2010, it was announced that Carlson Hotels Worldwide agreed to spend $125 million to open the first Radisson Blu hotel in the United States on 18 vacant floors of the highrise.
The name 'Aqua' was assigned to the building by Magellan Development
Magellan Development
Magellan Development Group, LLC is a Chicago real estate and property development company that was formed as a result of a long term corporate partnership between Magellan Development Group and NNP Residential Development....
Group LLC. It fits the nautical theme of the other buildings in the Lakeshore East development, and is derived from the wave-like forms of the balconies; the tower's proximity to nearby Lake Michigan also influenced the name.
Sustainability was an important factor in Aqua's design. Gang and her team refined the terrace extensions to maximize solar shading, and other sustainable features will include rainwater collection systems and energy-efficient lighting. The green roof on top of the tower base will be the largest in Chicago. The tower will seek LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
certification.
See also
- List of tallest buildings in Chicago
- List of tallest buildings in the United States
- List of tallest buildings in the world
External links
- Official Aqua Information website
- "Jeanne Gang: The Art of Nesting," Metropolis Magazine
- "Gang's Turf is Secure," Chicago Tribune
- http://www.ctbuh.org/Events/StudyTours/AquaTowerTour/tabid/779/Default.aspx"Aqua Tower Tour" Council on Tall Buildings and Urban HabitatCouncil on Tall Buildings and Urban HabitatThe Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat is an international body in the field of tall buildings and sustainable urban design...
] - Aqua at Emporis